The movie tells the story of Malcolm Little, also known as Malcolm X, – the Afro-American spiritual leader and a fighter for human rights who lived in the USA in the 1960s. The movie provides a thorough analysis of the social processes which unfolded in the country at that time. This biographic picture received praise from many critics, and “Malcolm X” is considered as one of the most recognized works of Spike Lee. At the same time, the craftsmanship of the central actor, Denzel Washington, deserves particular attention as well because his brilliant performance is one of the major elements which comprised the movie’s success.
It is possible to say that Washington’s Malcolm X is one of his best roles. He is entirely plunged into the character, and it seems that he does not just play but lives his role. In the movie, Washington resembles Malcolm X not merely physically but psychologically as well – the actor feels the character and expresses the very sense of his personality in a natural way.
The easiness and the breadth of Washington’s performance are the distinctive features of the movie. The actor portrays Malcolm X in a profound way and without any feigned effects so that at the end of the picture, when the documental frames are shown, a viewer cannot distinguish the actor from the real historical person.
Washington’s talent is totally manifested in the role of Malcolm X. The multiple rewards granted to the movie only emphasize the high quality of the acting work. Malcolm X is a complex character. He was not just a real person but the one who took place in the history of the country. And Washington let the viewers learn more about this prominent person and understand the mission which he carried throughout his life.